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Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz says he expects Canada’s two major railways to keep grain moving to accommodate port blending for 2014-15 season. He won’t rule out extending current, Nov. 24, 2014, rules related to grain movement from the Prairies. Ritz was speaking at Regina’s Agribition.| Michael Raine photo [/caption]
“But this year is different from last year. This is a value year, not a volume year.”
The grain movement order ends Nov. 29, unless the government extends or alters the situation. At that time the railways would be allowed to move grain within their own timetables and at competitive volumes.
The federal minister would not say whether the government would require the railways to keep moving grain at government established rates or what plans his government has to ensure productivity when it comes to grain transportation in the winter of 2014-15.
He said the railways do have other prairie products to move, such as potash and oil, and those are also important for the region’s economy.
“We are going to have to continue to make sure the railways take grain movement seriously, like they do with other commodities,” he said.
The railways would prefer the federal government stay out of their business altogether, but that’s not on.
We’ll keep them honest and keep their noses to the grindstones.”
Ritz said this season has a greater variety of crop grades and conditions, and blending at port positions will be critical to moving this harvest’s crop.
“We need the logistics at port, so we don’t have a whole whack of No. 3 at port when you are bringing in No. 2, to bring it up to a grade. Those (issues) have to be addressed this year.”
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He said farmer organizations are asking to keep the grain moving.
Lyle Stewart, Saskatchewan’s minister of agriculture, said his government supports their federal counterparts “to keep the pressure on” the railways to ensure grain movement.
“It’s critical for Saskatchewan’s farmers … and we’re watching,” he said.
Contact michael.raine@producer.com
